Up until a few months ago, home school was not at the top of my list. I generally had a “only if necessary” approach to the idea. Like, if we lived in a remote village in Asia – I would home school. Or, if we lived in a town where the school district was failing – I would home school. Or maybe, if one of our children didn’t thrive (due to learning styles, disabilities, etc.) in a traditional school setting – I would home school.
My first choice was a quality Christian School for our kids. Basically I wanted them to have my experience! While I went to an amazing Christian School (Arcata Christian School), with a great group of friends, amazing teachers, and a close knit family – I realize now that not every Christian School would automatically give my kids the same experience. Each school emphasizes different things, has a different agenda, and a varied world view. An online search left me discouraged – schools were expensive, a commute and it was impossible to find one that fit all of my desires. I couldn’t see us paying $4,000 – $6,000 per year for a kindergarten that I didn’t totally love.
Jason and I continued to talk about what we wanted for our kid’s education, and a “Classical Education” was a priority to him, something we were just learning about. My desire for small classrooms, parent involvement, and quality education was leading us to a charter school perhaps.
Many of our friends (though, not all) were deciding home schooling, and I was challenged as a friend told me she was just keeping her heart “willing” towards the idea as God developed a plan for her family. Was my heart willing to hear and obey whichever option God would tell is is best for our family? I didn’t feel willing (sometimes we have to make decisions despite what our emotions are), but I did decide to tell God that I was willing.
In January, Jason and I were talking in the car and somehow through this conversation (which we’d had many times before) about schooling, it was as if the light bulb came on. Home schooling would allow us to custom choose a curriculum, daily style, teaching approach, world view, etc., that was perfect for us! It was as if someone (God) was offering us the reigns and told us we could do it exactly as we thought best! All of a sudden those old arguments (What about socialization, what about those weird kids? How could I do home schooling, what if I fail at being my kids teacher? Am I smart enough, able enough to do this? What if it’s just a lot of work and I don’t want to do it?) didn’t seem to hold any valid points anymore. I don’t worry about socialization – I think those “weird” kids are a product of weird parents, not a “weird” schooling. I think our kids are very social, they play with friends all the time, and maybe more importantly – they play with each other.
So with this new revelation and direction, we were ready to explore home schooling for our family! We went to the MACHE (Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators) annual conference at the beginning of April and learned a ton! For me, it brings a lot of structure and vision to be a better parent. As the mom of toddlers, we are teaching all the time anyway: colors, numbers, letters, obedience, cooking, playing, imagination, etc… We are all already doing this with our kids! Now, home schooling I think will help me do a better job as I put effort into developing my kids.
The conference was incredible! I went to a lot of workshops for first-time home schoolers and ones that focused on young kids. They had a ton of vendors and our favorite; a used curriculum sale. It was like a multi-family yard sale full of great books and games! The conference was at the River Centre in St. Paul, it was almost like a little get-away for Jason and I! Linda, Jason’s mom, was visiting for a few weeks and it happened to coinside with the conference. So while the kids got some wonderful time with Nana (a rare treat for them!), Jason and I were able to attend all day Friday, and most of the day Saturday. Thank you SOOO much Linda!!!
We’ve picked a curriculum that we love, and it’ll be a great place to start. It’s called “My Father’s World.” It was developed by home schooling parents, is Bible based, takes the best aspects of classical studies, hands-on learning, character studies, etc. It starts with toddlers, and goes all the way through 12th grade. 
So we’re just beginning this journey (or maybe we already started it the moment we became parents?) and I’d love any advice or thoughts you have!
Bek, I am so proud of you! The thought of this awesome task would be enough for me to say no, but you are just diving in. I guess it’s because you’re my little sister, I am just so impressed with how you dedicate yourself to things that are important to you. But just be careful about that weird parents thing. You and Jason walk real close to that line……I’m kidding of course. Your kids will appreciate this gift to no end.
Good for you, Bek and Jason! That sounds amazing! I am so interested in the idea of homeschooling, but I think I would have to quit work to give it my all. I know you will do a fabulous job and the conference sounds like the perfect kick-start!
I’m so happy for you! I was just like you and really didn’t see myself as a “homeschooler”! Even when we lived in Hungary it didn’t really register on my list of possibilities. God has really surprised me by the process though and though it is probably one of the hardest jobs, it is very rewarding. On a side note – we used My Father’s World with Sofi for K, and plan on using it this year with Nate. I loved it! Sofi’s 1st grade year we joined a homeschool group called Classical Conversations. I’m not sure if it is out in MN yet, but it is growing like crazy, so keep a look out for it. I highly recommend their program. We meet 1x a week and they have memory work in 6 subjects. I am constantly amazed at what the are able to memorize and retain. I actually just wrote a couple of posts about it recently on my blog. What is really cool to me is when Sofi will see something in our day to day and reference back to a history sentence, timeline card or some other fact she has memorized. It is very rewarding! Anyway, I happy for you guys!
Hey Bek,
I’m excited that you’re homeschooling. I’m interested in that curriculum you found. I’ve just been winging it, but I should probably do something more structured for Kayla’s kindergarten year coming up this fall. Love you and hope you’re doing well. Miss you and wish we could see each other!
I just went to My Father’s World website and requested a catalog. Sounds like it might be perfect for me
That would be fun to be doing the same thing as your kiddos. When you looked at it, did you notice if it tells you exactly what to do? Cause I would really like that 
Hey Elizabeth! There was a teacher’s manual that comes with it and I remember it pretty much telling you everything. I’m the same way – I want the structure already planned out. I know I might vary it at times, but I like having “the work” already done for me. I mean, if these guys spend their time developing a great curriculum, then I don’t need to do the same thing all over again, right?
Anyway, yeah – I remember it all being planned out. that would be so fun if you did it too!
Beka & Jason,
Neither Aunt Marti or I were surprised to hear that you home
school the beautiful children. I don’t know Jason’s parents
but I admire and adore both if your parents. So I know where this comes from. Also, oour Grandmother, Clara, was a very
knowledgeable lady, so was Aunt Esta, your dad & Uncle Tom.
Congtatilions on the new baby. You will probably have tons of fun and also new babies after Bean.
Love & God’s blessings on all of you.
Aunt Barbara & Aunt Marti……….